Thursday, February 28, 2013

Remembering

That video may still be my favorite, and I feel like it captures the purpose of this blog and farm: Hope. I think the wanting of something, anything, may be the most powerful force in the world. Be it a person you want to be with, a job you want so much it hurts, a farm to call your own, or even just that first morning sip of coffee. This is a blog about anticipations granted, long as you are willing to do the real work of believing they are possible. My life and my farm are far from perfect. It's messy and scary and there are many broken things. But I can honestly say that there isn't another person on this planet I would want to trade lives with, not one. And when you get to a point where a better version of yourself is all you desire, I think you're on to something.

I made this video the first summer of living at this farm in Jackson New York. I am still in shock that I was able to get a mortgage, move into my new home, and expand the farm as much as I have. When this video was made (summer of 2010, I think?) I had no idea what to do with a cart horse. Hell, I was still scared to ride anything that wasn't at a riding school or equestrian club, surrounded by experts. I had not milked a goat. I had not ever stalked a deer. I was a lot more naive, specially about my romantic partners. I was waking up and going to a job I didn't want to be at, every single day. I lived in fear 97% of the time. And you know what? It was that 3% of hope that got me out. Because someone once asked me on a front porch this amazing question, "Yeah, but if you quit your job you would be fine, right?" And my head split open. No one had EVER said that, certainly not as nonchalantly as if I had asked them how to spell cat?! But it just took that little bit of encouragement, and that 3% of hope, and my world changed.

I just watched this the other day when you posted the letter from a reader. It is such a great video...and so inspiring. I have it on my list of things to share on my blog...matter of fact, maybe I'll share it today!

I love your video but I also love that song. There is so much energy in it(or it manages to find the energy in me even when I think there isn't any left). If you don't mind my asking,what is the name of the song and who sings it?

This video resonates with me on more than a few levels, and your reason for it being a favorite: Hope, sings loudly in my ears.

When my husband and I moved to NC from CA, we took on a dilapidated farmhouse that anyone else in the area would have torn down.

I left my family, we had our pickup truck, an 18-month old, my cattle dog, Alex, and a laptop with mobile broadband.

When we got here, and bought this house, we had just what we brought in the truck with us. As we began rehabilitating this house, it hit me. Hope is something you have, at the very least, when you have nothing else. Not even a hammer or a pillow. Hope grows wild here, and that is how we named our small-timey farm. Hope Farms.

I guess you could say I "quit" my "job" two weeks ago yesterday. I'm officially self-employed as a farmer (growing for market, self-sustenance)and as an independent contractor; market manager for our tiny rural market in its infancy - we'll begin our third season in about 6 weeks.

Every time I watch that video it brings tears to my eyes. You inspire the grandest of desires in my life. Because of the things I read about on your blog I feel like someday I will be able to do those things too. Just need to take one step at a time and I will get there in my own time.

Every time I watch that video it brings tears to my eyes. You inspire the grandest of desires in my life. Because of the things I read about on your blog I feel like someday I will be able to do those things too. Just need to take one step at a time and I will get there in my own time.

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About Me

Enjoy the story of a young writer living in Washington County with her fancy dogs, sheep, lots of chickens, fiber & meat rabbits, geese, ducks, turkeys, a hive and a garden. Expect to hear a lot about mountain music, the civil war, local food, and my friends along the way. It's a big time folks.